News Release Archive

April 14, 2014 - 9:32am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's International Dance Theatre (IDT) will present its annual spring show at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, and 2 p.m., Sunday, April 27, at Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI campus. This year's production is titled "Salute to the Silverscreen."

The dance troupe will perform a variety of dance styles from around the world, including traditional folk dance, modern styles of ballroom dance and one of the oldest Scottish dances on record. The show will also include dances to musical compositions from a variety of films, including "Moulin Rouge," "The Mask" and "The Hunger Games."

Tickets are $5 for students and $6 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the door or from members of IDT. To reserve tickets, email Tressa Glass, IDT officer, at tglass@uni.edu. For more information, contact Jason Schadt, instructor of health, physical education and leisure services, at jason.schadt@uni.edu.

April 14, 2014 - 2:54pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education (CHGE) will host several events in honor of the Days of Remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust Wednesday, April 23, through Tuesday, April 29.

Beatrice Muchman, Holocaust survivor and author of "Never to Be Forgotten: A Young Girl's Holocaust Memoir," will present the sixth annual Norman Cohn Family Holocaust Remembrance and Education Lecture at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, in Sabin Hall, Room 002. Muchman's illustrated talk "Individual Responsibility … Then and Now" will recount her family's fate during the Holocaust - in particular, her years as a "hidden child" - and her path to reclaiming her religious identity. A question and answer session, book signing and reception will follow the lecture.

The acclaimed documentary "Nicky's Family" will be screened at no charge to school groups at 10 a.m., Monday, April 28, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The documentary tells the story of Nicholas Winton, a young British stockbroker who rescued 669 children from Czechoslovakia just before the outbreak of World War II. Schools that would like to send a group of students to this event should contact the CHGE at 319-273-3870 or stephen.gaies@uni.edu.

The eighth annual Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony in the Cedar Valley will take place at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, in the Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St., Waterloo. The ceremony will feature a poster display, lighting of memorial candles and a musical performance. A screening of "Nicky's Family" will follow at approximately 7 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Stephen Gaies, director of UNI's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education, at 319-273-3870 or stephen.gaies@uni.edu, or visit www.facebook.com/unichge.

April 11, 2014 - 2:46pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association has announced the Cedar Valley Nonprofit Award winners. Recipients will be honored at the 10th annual Cedar Valley Nonprofit Awards Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, in the Commons Ballroom.

Award winners are as follows: Nonprofit Business Partner of the Year, Ferguson Enterprises; Robert Koob Award for Collaboration, Leader Valley, Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber; Nonprofit Board Member of the Year, Paul Kammerdiner, Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens; Gordon Mack Award for Student Leadership, Jenna Manders, Teen Trust, Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa; New Nonprofit Employee of the Year, Megan Thompson, Boys and Girls Club; Legacy Award, Gloria Wilder, Boys and Girls Club; Nonprofit Staff Leader of the Year, Kathy McDonnell, Presbyterian Village; Exceptional Nonprofit of the Year, Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley. Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley will receive a cash gift of $1,000, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, in recognition for its outstanding efforts.

The Veridian Community Engagement Fellowship Awards will also be presented. These awards are given to honor UNI faculty members who have enriched the quality of life in the Cedar Valley by engaging the community in their research and teaching. Award winners are Ai Wen, instructor of biology, and Wendy Miller, assistant professor of art. UNI also selected and is awarding Kamyar Enshayan, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Education; Jennifer Cooley, associate professor of language and literatures; and Tim Kidd, associate professor of physics, for their community engagement efforts.

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a national certification program that prepares students to become the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector.

For more information, contact Julianne Gassman, director of the UNI Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, at julianne.gassman@uni.edu or 319-273-2204.

April 10, 2014 - 9:51am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will celebrate environmental efforts during Earth Week, Monday, April 21, through Friday, April 25. Earth Week is a campus-wide event that aims to involve the campus community in environmental action through a number of interactive and educational events.

On Monday, April 21, UNI students can participate in a Plastic Bag Exchange. Bring plastic grocery bags for recycling to Maucker Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive a sustainabile alternative. Students are also invited to participate in an evening of yoga, featuring certified UNI yoga instructors. Classes will be held at 5 and 5:30 p.m. in the Wellness and Recreation Center (WRC), Room 085. All participants who pre-register will receive a free water bottle. To register, visit www.rrttc.com.

An Earth Day celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, outside of Maucker Union. The event will feature educational booths, activities and free bike tune-ups.

UNI Volunteer Tuesdays, Green Iowa AmeriCorps and the Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center (RRTTC) will partner for an Earth Day Highway Cleanup at 3:30 p.m., April 22, and a Campus Cleanup at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers should meet in Maucker Union. To register, visit www.uni.edu/involvement/service/volunteer-tuesdays.

A screening of the film "Troubled Waters: A Mississippi River Story" will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, in the WRC, Room 252. The documentary tells the story of the unintended yet severe consequences of farming along the Mississippi River and the efforts to reverse this damage.

The week will also include a bike ride on the trails around Cedar Falls at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 23. The ride will start and end at Mulligan's on 18th Street in Cedar Falls and will be lead by Cedar Valley Cyclists. Helmets are required and free T-shirts will be provided to participants who pre-register at www.rrttc.com.

Earth Week will conclude with a screening of "In Organics We Trust" at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 24, in the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Room 115. A light lunch will be provided. A pop can/tab drive will also be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside Maucker Union.

April 10, 2014 - 9:56am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Department of Physics will host the State of Iowa Physics Competition from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, in the McLeod Center.

Participating high school students qualified at regional competitions and represent the top teams from Area Education Agencies across the state. The competition is a series of five events that stress creativity, ingenuity and an understanding of physics-related ideas and is intended to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Events include the catapult, mousetrap car, toothpick bridge-building, soda straw arm and challenge problem.

April 10, 2014 - 10:04am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Corey Dolgon, sociology professor at Stonehill College in Massachusetts, will use words and music to explore the role that folk songs play in the U.S. labor movement at his "singing lecture" at 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 21, in the Interpreter's Theatre, Lang Hall, Room 40. The lecture will cover labor history from a multicultural perspective and examine the function of folk songs in workers' lives.

"Corey Dolgon's singing lecture tells us where we have been as a nation of workers, and why our labor history and this music is so relevant to our economic situation today," said Chris Martin, interim department head of the Department of Communication Studies. "Corey is incredibly entertaining. It turns out 'The 99 Percent' have the best music, too."

Dolgon, who has a Ph.D. in American Culture, is an expert in sociology and service learning. He has authored three books, including the forthcoming "Living Sociology: Social Problems, Service Learning, and Civic Engagement." His lecture is sponsored by UNI's Interpreters Theatre, Department of Communication Studies and College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences.

April 10, 2014 - 1:24pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Every day, minority students can experience a number of microaggressions based on their gender, race, religion and other identities. Students will have the opportunity to share these experiences at the I2AmUNI event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, in the Maucker Union on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Participants will be able to write a story or phrase on a whiteboard and pose for a photo with it. Photos will be shared on I2AmUNI's social media profiles.

"The students are really behind the motto of this project, which is 'Validating personal experiences that are culturally invalidated," said Tabatha Cruz, program coordinator for UNI's Center for Multicultural Education and adviser for the I2AmUNI planning committee. "The push is to raise awareness and start a discussion on what it means to be inclusive. It is coming from a place of love and support in that we all want to make sure that all students are having a positive and healthy experience at UNI."

Inspired by the "I, Too, Am Harvard" campaign, the event was planned by a committee of student representatives from various multicultural student groups, including the Hispanic Latino Student Union, Art for El Salvador, the Department of Residence Inclusive Communities Team and the International Student Association. The event aims to represent microaggressions across all underrepresented groups at UNI. All members of the UNI community are invited to participate.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Cruz at 319-273-2250 or tabatha.cruz@uni.edu.

April 10, 2014 - 1:32pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The "best of the best" student performances from beginning and advanced performance classes in the University of Northern Iowa's Department of Communication Studies will be presented at the "Performance Power Hour" at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, in the Interpreters Theatre in Lang Hall, Room 040.

"The Performance Power Hour is a way for students to share with the public the work we do in the Performance Studies classroom. It is a celebration of a semester's worth of hard work," said Danielle McGeough, assistant professor in UNI's Department of Communication Studies. "The students have a blast and the energy is contagious."

Performers come from four courses: Oral Interpretation, Performance and Social Change, the graduate Seminar in Performance Studies, and Technology and Human Communication (Digital Culture). The show will feature a variety of pieces, including personal narratives, manifestos, interpretations of literature, digital remixes and experimental performances.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Danielle McGeough, assistant professor of communication studies, at 319-273-6985 or danielle.mcgeough@uni.edu.

April 10, 2014 - 1:37pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will hold a U.S. Citizenship Ceremony at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, in the Maucker Union Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

At the event, 100 people from 36 different countries, including Australia, Bosnia, Vietnam and India will become American citizens. "It is an honor for UNI to be chosen to host this unique ceremony," said Mark Grey, professor and director of the UNI New Iowans Center. "We hope many people from the Cedar Valley will join us for this moving ceremony."

April 10, 2014 - 2:06pm

CEDAR FALLS -- The John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is now accepting entries for the 2014 competition. New and start-up businesses (in business for less than four years) are eligible to enter the competition for the chance to win up to $25,000.

The deadline to enter is June 13. Applicants are required to submit business plan information via a secure online program called Gust. A link to the Gust submission page is available at the competition website, www.IowaBusinessPlanCompetition.com.

Now in its ninth year, the John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is designed to stimulate business development and provide support for outstanding business plans. Since 2006, more than $400,000 in prizes has been awarded. This year, a total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three submitted business plans: $25,000 for first prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third.

Assistance with business plan entries is available at the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa; the Small Business Development Centers throughout the state; and the business accelerators in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Red Oak and Mason City.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers provide entrepreneurial education and business support, partnering with agencies like the Small Business Development Center, the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Entrepreneurial Development Centers and local entrepreneurs to assist with funding and other business needs.

Rules, eligibility, timelines and more information is available at the competition website, www.IowaBusinessPlanCompetition.com. Or you can learn more by contacting one of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers listed below.

April 9, 2014 - 9:29am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education (CHGE) and the Center for Multicultural Education (CME) at the University of Northern Iowa will sponsor a remembrance of the 1994 Rwandan genocide at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, in the CME in Maucker Union.

April marks the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. It is estimated that more than 800,000 people were killed in the East African nation during a span of 100 days.

The remembrance will include remarks, poetry readings, personal testimonies and songs, followed by a Q-and-A and comment session.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CME at 319-273-2250 or the CHGE at 319-273-3870, or visit www.facebook.com/unichge.

April 9, 2014 - 9:35am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa School of Music will present the Northern Iowa Wind Symphony's last performance of the season at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 18, in the Great Hall of Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). The concert is offered as a part of the UNI School of Music Spotlight Series.

The performance, conducted by Ronald Johnson, professor in the School of Music, features musical pieces with American, Australian and Japanese roots, and is presented in four parts:

-"Othello," by Alfred Reed, is a Shakespeare-inspired piece featuring a theatrical movement.

-"Gloriosa," by Yasuhide Ito, is a meditative piece inspired by a historical Japanese novel featuring Japanese Taiko drums.

-Three short pieces will feature the full spectrum of tonal colors by Australian composer Percy Aldridge Grainger.

-"Unusual Behavior in Ceremonies Involving Drums," by Daniel Bukvich, is a five-section, unconventional approach to symphony with parts of instruments being removed while played.

Tickets for the event are $10 for general admission, $9 for senior citizens and $8 for non-UNI students. To order tickets, call the GBPAC box office at 319-273-4849 or visit www.unitix.uni.edu. For additional information about School of Music events, contact Caroline Boehmer at 319-273-2028 or caroline.boehmer@uni.edu.

April 8, 2014 - 1:28pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Student organizations in the University of Northern Iowa College of Business Administration (UNIBusiness) are teaming up to plant 6,500 trees in areas of Cedar Falls that were affected by the 2008 floods. The planting will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12. Anyone who wants to volunteer should meet west of Bruns Machine, 1824 Lincoln St. in Cedar Falls.

"It's wonderful to see so many young people coming forward to assist with the planting," said Chris Schrage, global opportunities coordinator in UNIBusiness. "They will be great assets to the communities that they become a part of in the future. The community and two non-profits that benefit from this program are very worthy and have tremendous impact."

This initiative is made possible through the Living Lands & Waters Million Trees Project. To raise money for this cause, students will be selling engraved donor bricks through April 12. Checks can be made out to UNI-Hardwoods and mailed to Chris Schrage, Curris Business Building 5, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0126.

April 8, 2014 - 1:37pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Violence Prevention (CVP), in partnership with UNI's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), UNI's Military and Veteran Student Services and HopeLine® from Verizon, will host The Y Factor Iowa: Military Summit on Tuesday, April 15, on the UNI campus. The daylong conference for ROTC cadets, guard and reserve units, and active and retired military personnel will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Maucker Union Ballroom.

This year's summit is designed to bring together military, civic and educational leaders to discuss and assess their roles and responsibilities in supporting violence prevention. The keynote speaker is Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Cucolo III, commander of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.

Multiple senior military leaders and nationally recognized subject matter experts and trainers in violence prevention will serve on a panel to discuss the success and challenges of addressing and ending sexual violence in the military.

HopeLine from Verizon takes no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories and turns them into support for prevention programs and domestic violence victims and survivors in the form of cash grants and wireless phones with voice minutes and text-messaging service. For more information about HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

April 8, 2014 - 1:39pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Brenda Bass has been named dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS) at the University of Northern Iowa. She is currently interim dean of CSBS and will assume her new duties on July 1 pending Board of Regents approval.

"Dr. Bass brings a strong background in academic leadership to UNI," said Gloria Gibson, executive vice president and provost. "Her research and leadership style will help elevate the programs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to a state and national level."

Bass earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Bakersfield, and her master's and Ph.D. in family studies from the University of Arizona.

Bass first served as an assistant professor at UNI in 1996. She then worked her way through the ranks and was promoted to full professor in 2009 in the School of Applied Human Sciences in CSBS. As a professor of family studies, Bass' research has focused on work/family conflict and balance, family relationships and pedagogical strategies for teaching about family.

From 2000 to 2008, Bass was unit coordinator of the Family Studies Program. She was then chosen as associate dean of CSBS before becoming interim dean in July 2012.

April 8, 2014 - 1:51pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Each spring departments at the University of Northern Iowa select distinguished graduates to participate in the Alumni in Residence program. These accomplished alumni return to campus to speak with students about their professional experiences and help them understand the connection between the theory they learn in the classroom and the practice in the professional world. Alumni also meet with faculty groups to discuss current trends and issues in the workplace, tour campus and visit with student organizations about how extracurricular experiences may open doors during their job searches. In addition, they are invited to attend a joint luncheon hosted by the UNI Alumni Association and UNI Foundation.

The selection of alumni participants and their Alumni in Residence experience is coordinated by each college. The 2014 class includes:

April 7, 2014 - 9:54am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Gloria Gibson, University of Northern Iowa executive vice president and provost, has announced the winners of the University Book & Supply (UBS) Outstanding Teaching Awards for 2014. The awards honor pre-tenure faculty members who have shown significant contributions to the quality of teaching.

Criteria for the awards include taking student needs and interests into considerable account, demonstrating a mastery of a variety of instructional techniques, and preparing and using innovative classroom strategies and materials. Nominations are made by faculty, staff and students.

April 3, 2014 - 9:54am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will host the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes walk at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10. The walk will begin at the Alumni House on campus.

Each year, an increasing number of men, women and their families join the award-winning walk to raise awareness about the serious causes and effects of sexualized violence against women. The walk asks men to literally walk one mile in women's high-heeled shoes.

April 3, 2014 - 10:22am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Interpreters Theatre and Students Against a Violent Environment (SAVE) Forum Actors will present "(Re)Orientation" at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, in the Interpreters Theatre in Lang Hall, Room 040.

"(Re)Orientation" is conceived, written and directed by SAVE and under the direction of Amandajean Nolte, instructor of communication studies. SAVE is a peer theatre group that uses interactive performance techniques to raise awareness and start conversations about preventing gender-based violence. In "(Re)Orientation," the students of SAVE invite the audience to examine responses to violence and explore the assumptions behind Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

The event is free and open to the public; seating is limited. The show is intended for mature audiences only. Admission passes will be available in Lang Hall, Room 040, 45 minutes before the production begins. For more information, contact Nolte at 319-273-3793 or amandajean.nolte@uni.edu.

April 3, 2014 - 3:10pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Each year, the American Advertising Awards (AAA) attract more than 50,000 entries in local AAA competitions to recognize and award creative excellence in the art of advertising. At the American Advertising Federation-Cedar Valley regional competition on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, students from the University of Northern Iowa won awards for their work.

The award for Best of Show was given to Rob Wirtjes, a recent graduate in graphic technologies from Hiawatha.

Silver medals were awarded to Rachael Bair, a junior majoring in graphic technologies and graphic design from Hudson; Kimber Bates, a senior majoring in graphic design from Ottumwa; Sarah Dunegan, a senior majoring in graphic technologies from Aplington; Olivia Hottle, a senior majoring in communication from Waterloo; Vallyn Reinig, a senior majoring in communication/electronic media from Missouri Valley; and Eric Benson, a post-baccalaureate undergraduate in communication from Waterloo.

For additional information about the awards, contact Jeffery Byrd, art department head, at 319-273-2077 or jeffery.byrd@uni.edu.

April 3, 2014 - 3:22pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Students from the University of Northern Iowa presented their research in poster format at "Research in the Capitol," a collaborative effort of the honors programs of Iowa's Regents universities, Tuesday, April 1, in the First Floor Rotunda at the Iowa Statehouse.

State senators, representatives and other key officials were invited to view the posters and talk with students about their research and education.

"Research in the Capitol" was developed to celebrate how undergraduates learn by doing research in a variety of fields, according to Jessica Moon, director, UNI University Honors Program.

BONDURANT Tyler Gracey, senior, theatre: performance—acting, "Imagine the possibilities: Impact of drama on the development of social skills among youth on the Autism Spectrum"; Gretta Berghammer, professor of theatre

CARROLL Amy Becker, senior, communicative disorders, "Border crossings of the heart—Navigating the transition from minority to majority cultures: A pilot study of young hearing adults of deaf parents and young heterosexual adults of gay/lesbian parents"; Katie O'Brien, instructor of communication sciences and disorders, and Steve Onken, associate professor of social work

CEDAR FALLS Sean Klippel, senior, theatre: drama and theatre youth, "Imagine the possibilities: Impact of drama on the development of social skills among youth on the Autism Spectrum"; Gretta Berghammer, professor of theatre

WATERLOO Sam Card, senior, theatre: performance—acting, "Imagine the possibilities: Impact of drama on the development of social skills among youth on the Autism Spectrum"; Gretta Berghammer, professor of theatre

POTEET, TX Manuel Salinas, senior, psychology, "Social exclusion and health: The moderating role of social support"; Robert Hitlan, associate professor of psychology

OUT-OF-COUNTRY

FOSHAN, CHINA Xin Hong, senior, geography, "Monitoring and predicting land use and land cover change on Cedar River Watershed of Iowa for the next 30 years"; Bingqing Liang, associate professor of geography

April 1, 2014 - 11:39am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Movies, graphics, apps, games and robots will invade the University of Northern Iowa as eastern Iowa K through 12 students share their technology projects at the Iowa Technology and Education Connection (ITEC) Student Technology Fair from 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 4, in the UNI Commons. More than 50 projects from 12 school districts will be displayed for the public to explore and enjoy.

Each of these projects was created as part of the students’ instructional curriculum in their schools. The projects span eight different categories, including 3-D rendering/non-linear animation, graphics/publishing, innovative technology use, mobile apps, music/sound design, programming, video/linear presentation and Web presence.

Each project will be reviewed by local judges, and those receiving the Judges’ Purple Ribbon awards will be invited to showcase their projects at the ITEC conference in Des Moines in October.

The ITEC Student Technology Fair is one of three fairs held this week across the state. More than 300 projects will be presented statewide.

April 1, 2014 - 11:42am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Jay Lees, professor of history at the University of Northern Iowa, will present "One Day in May: The 2008 Tornado Hits Parkersburg" from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, in Seerley Hall, Room 115, on campus.

More than 100 people who were first responders or victims of the tornado were interviewed by Lees; his wife, Julie Lowell, professor emerita of anthropology; and Sarah Stubbe, former UNI student. The team decided to use the interviews to make a documentary film about the tornado.

The lecture will focus on the film, the interviews, and what they learned while creating the documentary. The event will feature a preview of the tentative opening segment of the film.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Robert Martin, history department head and professor, at 319-273-2097 or robert.martin@uni.edu.

April 1, 2014 - 1:14pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host speaker Steven Johnson at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, in the Commons Ballroom on the UNI campus. The lecture is the keynote address of The Digital Turn: The 2013-14 Meryl Norton Hearst Lecture Series.

Johnson is a best-selling author of works including "Everything Bad Is Good For You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter" and "Future Perfect: The Case for Progress in a Networked Age." This fall Johnson will star in the new PBS series "How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson."

"Steven Johnson's work is defined by sharp insights and clear writing about topics ranging from technology to science to popular culture," said Jim O'Loughlin, associate professor of languages and literatures. "His talk will give the Cedar Valley a sneak peek into what the rest of America will see when his PBS show airs."

This event is free and open to the public. Public parking is available in the Multimodal Transportation Center on 23rd Street, east of Campbell Hall. The event is co-sponsored by the College of Business Administration and Visual Logic. For more information, contact O'Loughlin at 319-273-2002 or jim.oloughlin@uni.edu.

April 1, 2014 - 1:22pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Cartoonist Lela Lee will present and discuss her cartoon "Angry Little Asian Girl" at 7 p.m., Monday, April 7, in the Center for Multicultural Education (CME). The cartoon follows the adventures of Kim, a 6-year-old Korean American who is as sharp and witty as she is adorable. It also explores race and gender issues through a humorous lens.

"The CME is very excited about Lela Lee's visit to UNI. She brings a fun and fresh perspective when it comes to the discussion of race, feminism and cultural expectations," said Tabatha Cruz, program coordinator for the CME. "College is an important time for students to start learning about and discussing the intersection of their various identities. I hope that our participants will learn about utilizing storytelling and art as a positive outlet in which to start the dialogue."

"Angry Little Asian Girl" will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2014. Lee created the comic in 1994 as a student at the University of California, Berkeley. The cartoon has since become wildly popular and has developed into a full-blown empire. The "Angry Little Asian Girl" TV show will debut this summer on Mnet, an Asian American cable channel.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Cruz at 319-273-2250 or tabatha.cruz@uni.edu.

April 1, 2014 - 1:31pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) and College of Education are state sponsors for the upcoming Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Student Leadership Summit. The eighth annual summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, April 7, in the Rocklin Conference Center at Western Iowa Technical Community College in Sioux City.

Fifteen Swedish authorities from national agencies on education, law enforcement, public health and social care, youth affairs, and domestic and sexual violence coalitions will travel to Sioux City to participate in the summit. They will also learn more about the bullying and gender violence prevention strategies and programming in the "Sioux City Project" – a four-year violence prevention initiative designed by the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention in partnership with Sioux City's public schools and numerous community organizations and service providers.

Two hundred high school sophomores and juniors from Sioux City's three public high schools (North, East and West) will receive mentoring and leadership training in active bystander education, intervention strategies and facilitation skills. The MVP model teaches students to safely and effectively intervene and respond to acts of bullying, dating abuse, rumors and gossip, cyberbullying, and other forms of gender violence and abuse when they hear or observe it happening.

"We are pleased to partner with the Sioux City schools and their community prevention partners to support the teaching and learning associated with bullying and gender violence prevention in high schools," said Alan Heisterkamp, CVP co-director and event organizer. "Preventing all forms of bullying and abuse is, and always has been, a community issue - whether it's here in Iowa, the U.S. or in Sweden."

For additional information on the MVP Student Leadership Summit or the CVP, contact Heisterkamp at alan.heisterkamp@uni.edu or 319-273-3054.

April 1, 2014 - 4:48pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa is accepting applications for the Bachelor of Arts in technology management degree program. The online program, designed for graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree from an Iowa community college, begins this summer and incorporates an applied approach to critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills.

Courses for this program are offered entirely online using eLearning, a Blackboard learning management system. The program uses a cohort model in which students move together through the course sequence until they graduate. The degree will be offered in cooperation with the Iowa-Advanced Manufacturing (I-AM) Consortium, comprised of Iowa's 15 community colleges. The consortium hopes to promote the concept of moving from credentials available from Iowa's community colleges to a bachelor’s degree from UNI.

"The online delivery of this program opens avenues for nontraditional students with full-time jobs who cannot attend on-campus classes, giving them the opportunity to increase their earning power while keeping up with innovations in technology," said Nilmani Pramanik, program coordinator.

"This affordable program is indicative of UNI's efforts to make educational opportunities more accessible to Iowans, regardless of where they reside. Collaborating with Iowa's community colleges to offer a seamless pathway for students who wish to advance professionally, while addressing the needs of Iowa's manufacturers, provides tremendous benefits to all involved and the state of Iowa as a whole," said Kent Johnson, dean of Continuing Education and Special Programs.

The technology management program is also available in a classroom format for those able to attend courses on UNI's campus. To learn more about this program and how to apply, visit distance.uni.edu/tech-management.

A Master of Science in Technology degree is also available for those interested in pursuing graduate study. Learn more about this program at distance.uni.edu/technology-ms.

For information about additional offerings available from Continuing and Distance Education through the University of Northern Iowa, visit distance.uni.edu or call 319-273-5970 or 800-648-3864.

March 31, 2014 - 9:30am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa American Marketing Association (AMA) student chapter completed the Blue Zones Project Organization Checklist, highlighting their long-standing commitment to living a longer, healthier life. The pledge actions completed include offering healthy food options at meetings, hosting wellbeing and educational events, promoting volunteer opportunities, and helping members find their purpose through workshops and career-oriented goals. The UNI AMA is the first business organization on campus to complete the Blue Zones checklist.

"By striving to become a Blue Zones-certified student organization, we hope to lead by example," said Taylor Lubben, UNI AMA chapter president. "Promoting the importance of healthier choices to members, as well as fellow students, was one of our first steps toward committing to live a longer, better life."

AMA is the largest marketing association in the world. The mission of AMA is to assist members in the creation and implementation of their career-related goals and stimulate the development of leadership, interpersonal and professional skills needed to succeed within the professional workforce.

The Blue Zones Project is a global initiative to promote healthy living through permanent changes to environment, policy and social networks. The project launched in Iowa in 2011 as a part of Gov. Terry Branstad's Healthiest State Initiative.

For more information, visit www.bluezonesproject.com or contact Whitney Johnson, vice president of community involvement for UNI AMA, at 641-860-0584.

March 31, 2014 - 9:45am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa is accepting applications for the Master of Science in Technology degree program. The program begins this fall and is intended to prepare and develop professionals to perform and function as skilled technologists in industrial environments.

Courses for this program are offered entirely online using eLearning, a Blackboard learning management system. The program uses a cohort model in which students move together through the six-semester curriculum until they graduate.

"UNI is committed to making select, affordable educational opportunities accessible to Iowans, regardless of where they reside. We are pleased to provide a pathway for professionals who wish to advance their careers, while addressing the needs of Iowa's manufacturers," said Kent Johnson, dean of Continuing Education and Special Programs.

A Bachelor of Arts in technology management is also available for those interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree. Learn more about this program at distance.uni.edu/tech-management.

To learn more about the Master of Science in Technology program and how to apply, visit distance.uni.edu/technology-ms. For information about additional offerings from Continuing and Distance Education, visit distance.uni.edu or call 319-273-5970 or 800-648-3864.

March 27, 2014 - 8:34am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Alan Heisterkamp has been named interim director of the Center for Educational Transformation at the University of Northern Iowa. Heisterkamp currently serves as director of the Mentors in Violence Prevention Institute at UNI and will continue in that role as well.

The Iowa General Assembly has designated UNI as the state's educational research and development center because of it's rich tradition of teacher preparation and focus on improving the educational experience of Iowa's students. As interim director, Heisterkamp will help further the center's initiatives by securing grants and implementing projects related to teacher preparation and pre-K through 12 education; measuring the impact and disseminating the outcomes of the center's research and development; leveraging partnerships across the state to inform decision-makers and drive policy grounded in research results; producing innovations to transform teaching, learning and education systems; and overseeing the center's staff.

"I am honored to be on the ground floor of building and shaping a center whose livelihood is contingent on asking new questions and viewing innovation as the status quo," said Heisterkamp.

Roughly 25 percent of Iowa's educators and 33 percent of school administrators come from UNI. More than 12,000 alumni educators live in Iowa and 500 new teachers graduate each year. Annually, around 3,500 in-service educators connect with UNI for professional development and continuing education. Another 400 in-service educators are enrolled in UNI graduate programs via distance education.

March 27, 2014 - 11:14am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Teaching Educators About Mathematics (TEAM) organization will host its eighth annual Math Fair from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 5, in Maucker Union on the UNI campus. The event is free and open to all fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in the Cedar Valley area.

UNI education majors will facilitate the learning through interactive booths where students and parents can engage in mathematical exploration.

"The Math Fair is an opportunity for these students to engage in mathematics in a fun and interactive manner, which we hope will lead to them enjoying math as they move forward," said Brian Townsend, associate professor of mathematics at UNI. "It also provides these students with a reason to come check out UNI and what we have to offer."

TEAM is a student organization for UNI's elementary and middle-level education majors that focuses on professional development and service. It's an affiliated organization of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and has a sponsorship from the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

March 27, 2014 - 11:24am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Theatre UNI will present "August: Osage County" at 7:30 p.m., April 10 through 12 and 17 through 19, and at 2 p.m., April 13, in the Strayer-Wood Theatre on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

Tracy Letts' comic tragedy, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for drama, is the story of the Weston family. Acid-tongued, pill-popping mother Violet summons her daughters to their Oklahoma homestead after the family patriarch vanishes. Thus ensues a storm of jaw-dropping secrets and repressed truths forced to the surface as the dark underbelly of a splintered family is unflinchingly and uproariously brought to light.

The "August" creative team unites the talents of students, faculty and guest artists. The production is directed by Angie Toomsen, a 1997 alumna of UNI's theatre program. Scenery design is by Leonard Curtis, associate professor of theatre; costumes are designed by Jennifer Sheshko Wood, assistant professor of theatre; and lighting design is provided by Eric Lange, Theatre UNI artistic director. The production stage manager is guest artist Jordan Andrews.

In addition to UNI theatre students and community acting talents, the cast includes Cynthia Goatley, professor of theatre, as Violet Weston and Richard Glockner, associate professor of theatre, as Beverly Weston.

Tickets are $14 for adults and free for UNI students with their student ID. Tickets can be purchased from the Strayer-Wood Theatre box office between noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box office opens one hour before curtain time. For tickets call 319-273-6381 or visit www.uni.edu/theatre/swt.

March 27, 2014 - 2:07pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Organizers of the 2012 Get Energized, Iowa! competition to see which community could reduce their energy use the most, would like to hear from community members one more time. They are asking homeowners and renters in the four communities—Dike, Hudson, Readlyn and Fairbank—to take a short survey about the project. Participants who took the survey at the end of the project in 2012 are especially encouraged to take this follow-up survey. Project partners are the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) and Iowa Policy Project.

Community members can get the survey at several locations in their community. Return boxes for dropping off completed surveys will be available in their community as well. Residents can also take the survey online at tinyurl.com/energyiowa.

Carole Yates, program manager at UNI's CEEE and project coordinator, said Get Energized, Iowa! was highly successful. "Across all of the communities, participants reduced electric usage 4 percent and gas usage 10 percent. Those are very high numbers that show community members really wanted to save energy and to win."

March 27, 2014 - 4:11pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Rod Library at the University of Northern Iowa will host Mini Comic-Con from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 29.

A variety of comic book-related activities will be held throughout the day, such as trivia contests; video and tabletop gaming; a kids' coloring contest; a scavenger hunt; a Magic: The Gathering tournament; panel discussions; and a photo booth with green screen technology.

The costume contest will take place at 4 p.m., with prizes awarded in each age category: 10 and under, 11 to 16, and 17 and older.

Panel discussions and presentations will focus on the topic of diversity in comic books, including gender, racial and LGBT issues.

March 27, 2014 - 4:22pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will host the 46th annual Elementary Literacy Conference on Friday, April 11, in the Schindler Education Center. The conference is free to UNI students and faculty, $45 for retired teachers and $90 for current educators and the general public.

The event will include multiple sessions on topics in the areas of literacy, arts integration and the Common Core standards. It will feature keynote speakers Gary Kelley, illustrator, and J. Patrick Lewis, poet and prose writer. Kelley and Lewis have worked together to create several award-winning books, such as "And the Soldiers Sang" and "The Stolen Smile."

"The UNI literacy conference has always provided a great opportunity for educators to learn from authors and illustrators," said Pam Ziegler, director of elementary education for the Cedar Falls Community School District. "By sharing what was learned from the authors and reading the books to the students, the students were motivated to write their own stories and read more stories by the authors."

There will be a pre-conference event from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at the Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls where Kelley and Lewis will talk about their work. A new piece of art that Kelley created for the conference will be showcased. The pre-conference event is free and open to the public.

Kelley and Lewis' books will be available for purchase and signing at the pre-conference and conference. For additional information or to register, visit www.vpaf.uni.edu/events/elc

March 26, 2014 - 8:37am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One will perform at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 9. The event will include performances by Jazz Band One and the University of Iowa's premiere big band, Johnson County Landmark. The concert will also feature Iowa-born saxophonist Dick Oatts as guest soloist.

Oatts grew up in Jefferson and attended Drake University before starting his professional career. He has performed with numerous groups and artists, including Mel Lewis, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra. Oatts is currently professor and artistic director of jazz studies at Temple University.

UNI Jazz Band One is the School of Music's premiere performing group. The ensemble is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and has appeared at festivals all over the country and in Europe. It is one of the longest running jazz programs in the United States and hosts one of the largest high school jazz festivals in the country each year. The band is directed by Chris Merz, director of jazz studies.

For more information, contact Caroline Boehmer, UNI School of Music communication and operations coordinator, at 319-273-2028 or caroline.boehmer@uni.edu.

March 26, 2014 - 8:41am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will host the biannual Teacher Education Induction Convocation at 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). The event will be followed by a reception in the lobby.

More than 200 students have met the requirements for admission into the UNI Teacher Education Program and are invited to participate in the induction ceremony. DeWitt Jones, associate professor of educational leadership and postsecondary education, will deliver the convocation address; Becky Wilson Hawbaker, coordinator of student field experiences, will present and affirm the candidates; and Bill Ruud, president of UNI, will grant admission to the program.

Parents and friends of the candidates, along with UNI faculty and administrators, are invited to attend the free event. For additional information, contact Kathy Oakland, chair of the convocation committee, at 319-273-2591 or kathy.oakland@uni.edu.

March 25, 2014 - 8:39am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's LGBT student organization UNI Proud will kick off the annual campus wide Pride Week with a drag show at 8 p.m., Monday, March 31, in the Maucker Union. "Fluidity Inclusivity" is the theme of this year's Pride Week, and a number of events will explore the nuances of gender and sexuality from Monday, March 31, through Saturday, April 5.

"The Queer Monologues" will be performed at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, in the Bertha Martin Theatre. Inspired by the popular "Vagina Monologues," this production features true and fictional stories of LGBTQIA students.

J Mase III, self-described as "The Rowdiest Transqueer Poet You Know," will deliver the keynote performance at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, in the Maucker Union Ballroom. Mase is the author of "If I Should Die Under the Knife, Tell My Kidney I Was the Fiercest Poet Around" and creator of the annual performance event "Cupid Ain't @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine's Day Poetry Movement."

Restrooms in the Maucker Union Ballroom will be declared gender-neutral during UNI Proud's second Gender Inclusive Restrooms Protest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, April 3, in the Maucker Union Ballroom Lobby.

A number of progressive student organizations have partnered with UNI Proud to host the inaugural Progressive Prom, an inclusive dance party, from 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, April 4, in the Maucker Union Ballroom.

UNI Proud will also participate in the first Out of the Darkness Walk, an event that will raise awareness of suicide prevention from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 5, starting at the fountain outside Maucker Union.

For the second year, the Hispanic Latino Student Union's annual Latino Ball, which will take place from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., Saturday, April 5, in the Maucker Union Central Ballroom, will feature drag performers from UNI Proud.

There will also be lectures and film screenings throughout the week. The events are free and open to the public. For a complete list of events or more information, visit www.uniproud.tumblr.com/prideweek2014 or contact Stormy O'Brink, president of UNI Proud, at 319-610-8730 or proud@uni.edu.

March 25, 2014 - 4:45pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Panther Marching Band has been invited to participate in the 29th New Year's Day Parade & Festival in London on Jan. 1, 2015. The former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminister, Councillor Duncan Sandys, who is also Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill's great grandson, will be on campus at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center to deliver the invitation to the marching band. A reception will be held immediately following the presentation.

This is the first international performance for the Panther Marching Band. More than 8,000 performers from all corners of the globe will entertain a street audience of around 500,000 during the New Year's Day Parade & Festival.

UNI's Panther Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus and is currently the largest band in university history with 280 members. Marching band students come from 79 different majors on campus and perform five energetic field shows each season for audiences in the UNI-Dome and across the region. With a history beginning in 1892, the band's tradition of excellence has spanned 122 years and generations of dedicated band members to make the UNI Panther Marching Band one of the most exciting bands in the Midwestern United States.

March 24, 2014 - 3:28pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In an effort to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention, the University of Northern Iowa will host an inaugural Out of the Darkness Walk, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 5, starting at the fountain outside Maucker Union. Check-in begins at 9 a.m.; the walk starts at 10 a.m. The event is hosted by UNI's chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, a national honor society for family and consumer sciences.

"A lot of the time, suicides are not spoken of," said Paige Hoffmann, vice president of UNI's Phi U chapter. "Not only is the walk going to raise awareness of the impact of suicide, but this event is a great way to make UNI more of a community."

The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to raise money, which will go toward the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the nation's leading suicide prevention organization. Those who raise $100 or more will receive a free T-shirt.

For more information or to register, contact Hoffmann at 563-451-6041 or hoffmpaa@uni.edu, or visit afsp.donordrive.com/event/uni.

March 24, 2014 - 3:33pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Henry Segerman, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at Oklahoma State University, will visit the University of Northern Iowa to present the annual Hari Shankar Memorial Lecture at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, in Sabin Hall, Room 002.

Segerman's lecture is "How to Make Sculptures of 4-Dimensional Things." He is a mathematician and a mathematical artist, and works with 3-dimensional geometry, topology and printing.

The lecture is funded through a donation from Shankar with additional support from UNI's Department of Mathematics. Shankar, who died in 2008, taught at Ohio University for more than 30 years before joining UNI as a visiting professor.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Doug Mupasiri, department head and professor of mathematics, at 319-273-2012 or douglas.mupasiri@uni.edu.

March 21, 2014 - 9:48am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa is accepting applications for its Master of Arts in Education (MAE) or Advanced Studies Certificate (ASC) in Principalship programs that begin fall 2014. These two-year programs are designed for individuals seeking endorsement in the state of Iowa as pre-K through 12 principals or supervisors of special education.

Two course sequence paths are offered to meet unique leadership needs. The All-Iowa sequence focuses on school leadership in Iowa’s suburban and rural school districts. The Urban Education Network (UEN) sequence, developed with Iowa’s UEN member districts, addresses issues facing urban education.

“We know that principalship is becoming more challenging, complicated and demanding every year,” said Nick Pace, program coordinator. “We’re excited about the future of Iowa schools because we're inspired by the caliber of aspiring school leaders our program attracts.”

Courses in these programs are offered one night per week during the fall and spring semesters via interactive video conferencing. Some courses are offered entirely online using eLearning, a Blackboard learning management system. The first summer session includes a short on-campus experience.

The programs begin this fall using a cohort model in which a group of students moves together through the course sequence, with the degree or certificate to be awarded in the summer of 2016. To learn more about these programs and how to apply, visit distance.uni.edu/principalship.

For information about additional offerings available through Continuing and Distance Education, visit distance.uni.edu or call 319-273-5970 or 800-648-3864.

March 20, 2014 - 9:29am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa Department of Physics will host the UNI/Area Education Agency 267 Regional Physics Competition from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 27, in the McLeod Center. Schools within the AEA 267 region will participate in the competition.

The competition is a series of five physics events for high school students in grades 9 through 12. The event stresses creativity and ingenuity as well as an understanding of physics-related principles. It is intended to stimulate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related skills. Events include the catapult, mousetrap car, toothpick bridge, soda straw arm and a challenge problem. Regional winners and runners-up advance to the State of Iowa Physics Competition on Thursday, April 17, in the McLeod Center.

For additional information, contact Larry Escalada, professor of physics and science education, at 319-273-2431 or larry.escalada@uni.edu.

March 20, 2014 - 1:20pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education will sponsor two reading performances of "Necessary Targets," a play by Eve Ensler. The performances will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, at the Interpreters Theatre in Lang Hall, and Tuesday, April 8, at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in the Grout Museum District in Waterloo. The performances are directed by Jade Horning, UNI graduate student in communication studies.

"Necessary Targets" is set in the aftermath of the Bosnian conflict. An American therapist and writer visit a Bosnian refugee camp to help female survivors cope with the trauma of sexual violence and genocide. The performance raises questions about the ownership of these stories, as well as the ethics of telling and documenting them. A brief discussion will follow the reading.

Both readings are free and open to the public; however, the show is intended for mature audiences only. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. for the April 1 reading at the Interpreters Theatre. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the April 8 reading at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum to allow audience members to explore the exhibit "Prijedor: Lives from the Bosnian Genocide" before the performance. The exhibit is free of charge for those attending the reading.

For more information, contact Stephen Gaies, director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education, at 319-273-3870 or gaies@uni.edu.

March 18, 2014 - 2:49pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Timothy Gay, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will deliver his lecture "Why Isn't God Ambidextrous?" at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, in Lang Hall Auditorium on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The lecture will discuss the idea of nature as being "handed" and explore new physics experiments on chirality that may reveal how life began on Earth.

Gay is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He is as well known for his groundbreaking research on atomic collisions and polarized electrons as he is for his entertaining expositions on the physics of football. His lecture is part of UNI's Begeman Lecture Series.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Paul Shand, head of UNI's Department of Physics, at 319-273-2930 or paul.shand@uni.edu.

March 13, 2014 - 9:32am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Rev. Shoken Winecoff, founder and abbot of Ryumonji Zen Monastery, will present his lecture "Diplomacy and Religion," Tuesday, March 25, in Seerley Hall, Room 115, on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The event is part of the UNI Diplomat Series.

"The upcoming Diplomat Series lecture will be the sixth in a series designed to inform the UNI and Cedar Valley communities about important international issues of our time," said Craig Klafter, associate provost for UNI International Programs. "We are honored to have the Rev. Winecoff share his thoughts about the relationship between diplomacy and religion."

Ryumonji Zen Monastery was founded in 2000 when land was donated in Dorchester. Since then, four monastery buildings have been constructed in the ancient tradition of Zen monasteries. Ryumonji conducts zazen meditation sittings, which are open to the public, and monthly weekend retreats (sesshins) for lay practitioners. It is also a training monastery for Zen priests in the Midwest.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Klafter at 319-273-6807 or craig.klafter@uni.edu.

March 13, 2014 - 9:40am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Do new digital tools fundamentally change the work of those in the humanities and arts, or do these tools simply offer new, more efficient ways of accomplishing the same kind of research and creative activities? Juan Luis Suarez, director of Cultureplex, an interdisciplinary digital humanities research center at Canada's Western University, is on the leading edge of those using digital tools for large-scale collaborative research projects. He will deliver his lecture "Modeling Cultural Networks in the Hispanic Baroque" at 7 p.m., Monday, March 24, in the Slife Ballroom, in the Commons on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

Digital humanities are an area of research, teaching and creation concerned with the intersection of computing and the disciplines of the humanities.

"The work of Juan Luis Suarez illustrates the scale and scope of current work in digital humanities. Projects that once would have seemed too ambitious or even impossible are now being accomplished by talented researchers," said Jim O'Loughlin, associate professor in UNI's Department of Languages and Literatures and coordinator of The Digital Turn series. "This event is a great opportunity for students to discover how the possible is being redefined."

Cultureplex's Hispanic Baroque Project brings together an interdisciplinary, international group of researchers to explore how the cultural form most associated with the Spanish empire, baroque, has persevered over time. This project argues that baroque patterns serve to create stability in cultures that are complex and characterized by significant change.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The Digital Turn series explores the current cultural moment when the Internet is becoming the dominant cultural medium, and how that change affects writing, reading, language acquisition and research.

March 13, 2014 - 1:43pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra (NISO) will travel to Brazil Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 23, to collaborate and perform with the orchestra at the Universidade de Caxias do Sul.

Before entering Brazil, the group will travel to Panama and visit the Panama Canal and other parts of Panama City. The group will then travel to Caxias do Sul to work with students and faculty from Universidade de Caxias do Sul on music that will be performed in several concerts.

A variety of chamber ensemble concerts will also be performed by UNI students in Brazil. Chamber ensembles include a horn quartet, two string quartets, a woodwind quintet, a trombone quartet, a clarinet quartet, a jazz combo and a percussion quintet.

In addition to the 60 UNI students participating, several faculty members from the School of Music will travel and perform with NISO throughout the 10-day trip. Rebecca Burkhardt, professor of conducting and music theory, serves as director of NISO and will conduct the orchestra while in Brazil. Heather Peyton, assistant professor of oboe and music theory, will perform the oboe solo on Vivaldi's "Concerto in F Major for Oboe, Rv. 455." Julia Bullard, associate professor of viola and music theory, will perform with the chamber ensemble Trio 826. Other members of Trio 826 include guest artists Susanna Klein, violin, and Hannah Holman, cello. Amanda McCandless, assistant professor of clarinet, will serve as a faculty adviser and will perform in concert with Bullard and Universidade de Caxias do Sul faculty pianist, Fernando Rauber.

For more information, visit www.uni.edu/music/ or like the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra on Facebook.

March 12, 2014 - 9:45am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa College of Business Administration has been selected for the Military Times Best for Vets: Business Schools 2014 rankings. The Military Times Best for Vets distinction recognizes and rewards business schools for their commitment to providing opportunities to American’s veterans based on the school's MBA program. UNIBusiness was 41st among the organization's best 64 business schools for America's veterans.

"It is gratifying to receive this outside recognition for our MBA program," said UNI College of Business Administration Dean Farzad Moussavi. "Our MBA program's high quality of instruction, strong student focus and supportive atmosphere defines the academic philosophy of the entire college."

Best for Vets provides service men and women a gauge by which to judge whether a school or program will truly benefit them. The rankings factor academic quality, outcomes and policies, school culture, student support and cost. The organization -- comprising Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times -- focused on culture and curriculum that caters to military veterans when conducting and scoring the survey on which the schools' rankings were based.

In addition to this business school-based ranking, UNI has been named to the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2014 rankings, named a Military Friendly University in Military Advanced Education's 214 Guide to Military Friendly Colleges & Universities, and was selected as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine for the fourth time in September 2013

To learn more about UNIBusiness go to business.uni.edu and for more information about the military and veteran student services at UNI, visit www.uni.edu/military.

To learn more about the rankings, go to militarytimes.com/bestforvetsbizschools2014.

March 12, 2014 - 3:55pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- University of Northern Iowa students have elected representatives to the Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG) for the 2014-15 school year. Elections were held for student body president, vice president and senate representatives.

Kevin Gartman, a junior business teaching major from Waukee, will serve as the student body president. Paul Anderson, a sophomore public administration major from Ankeny, will serve as vice president.

NISG represents the student body and promotes activities that are in the best interest of students. NISG also promotes student involvement in the governmental process by addressing issues that affect students, such as tuition, financial aid, quality of education and student rights.